Azeez Folorunso
THE grieving family members of Eniafe Toheeb who was allegedly shot dead by an officer of the Nigeria Police Force on 1st May 2024 in the Obalende area of Lagos State have asked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to hasten investigation into the death of their son as they are no longer comfortable with unnecessary delay in the investigation.
Toheeb was allegedly shot by the fleeing police officer at the premises of NNPC Filling Station located at Obalende roundabout in Lagos, on the orders of another officer, Omeje Christian, who was apprehended and handed over to the police authority.
While addressing newsmen in Ikeja, Lagos Wednesday, the family members expressed disappointment over the delay and pleaded with the IGP to order a thorough investigation to unmask the officer who allegedly shot unarmed Toheeb.
Mr Eniafe Noheem decried the delay in investigation despite their petition to the Inspector-General of Police over the ‘pace and manner’ of the investigation being conducted by men of Panti Police Station, Yaba over the incident.
He said there is no indication of progress in the investigation almost two months after the incident, saying the delay is making the action of police ‘look like a cover-up to protect one of their own.’
“The police authorities have not provided any vital information to the family of the deceased. We are asking for justice for the deceased. The deceased aged parents are pleading with all authorities, governments at all levels, local and international human rights organisations to come to our aid. “
Also, the Vice Chairman of the National Union Of Road Transport Workers, Mr Wale Giwa, who witnessed the incident, recounted that “The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. on the sad day, officer Omeje and his fleeing colleague had led two Toyota Hilux vehicles into the petrol station through the exit gate, thus blocking customers from leaving after their purchases.
“While one of the vehicles was attached to two armed mobile policemen, the other was not.
“The hindrance caused by the Hilux vehicles prevented motorists from exiting the filling station eliciting an uproar from all present. Within the intervening period, officer Omeje Christian and his unidentified colleague dashed away briefly, only to return on a motorcycle with a loaded rifle hanging from the latter’s neck.
“Upon the order of Officer Omeje Christian to shoot at any resistance, the unidentified policeman opened fire, and his shot hit Toheeb Eniafe who slumped and died, while another shot hit one of their Toyota Hilux vehicles, which burst into flames.
“Following the shooting, some good samaritans apprehended Officer Omeje while attempting to flee and handed him over to the police, but his unidentified trigger-happy colleague had fled the scene. Other people scrambled to revive the lifeless Toheeb Eniafe just as petrol attendants mobilised to push the burning vehicle away from the premises to avert another disaster which may result in the burning of the petrol station.”
Giwa further explained that the officers were arguing with Tricycle operators who were in the queue at the filling station to buy fuel, noted that the deceased was just entering the fuel station before he was hit by a stray bullet.
He also said the filling station has a camera which can aid the police investigation. He added that the deceased was a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and also a unit auditor.
The sister of the deceased, Bakare Folashade Eniafe pleaded with the police authority to hasten investigation and bring the perpetrator(s) to book.
“We are by this medium appealing to you, sir, to use your good offices to wade into this matter. We will not relent on our quest for justice in this case. We hope that your office is willing and instrumental to the speedy prosecution of all those culpable in the death of the deceased.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media